Pressure grows over plans for more homes in town

Residents concerned about the pace of housing development in Shifnal are being invited to a public meeting amid claims the town's infrastructure is struggling to keep up with growth.

MP Mark Pritchard said people have raised concerns about issues including water pressure, sewerage capacity, schools and health services.

Shropshire Council figures show Shifnal's population grew by 43.5% between 2011 and 2021 to 9,725, making it the county's fastest-growing town.

The Conservative MP for The Wrekin said the meeting would focus on what he described as a growing number of speculative development applications in the town and surrounding area.

He said Shifnal and nearby communities have already "taken more than their fair share of housing" in recent years and argued future development should not come at the expense of green spaces.

"There is a sustainable limit on the number of houses Shifnal can take," he said.

The Labour government has pledged to build 1.5 million new homes in England over the course of this Parliament.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK was in the grip of a "housing crisis" and he wanted to deliver "the biggest council house building programme since the post-war period"

Several significant housing schemes are currently being considered or prepared for Shifnal.

They include proposals for up to 500 homes and employment land to the east of the town, up to 200 homes south of Lamledge Lane and a separate 57-home development off Windmill View that has already been approved.

Supporters of new housing argue it is needed to meet demand, including for affordable homes, while the government has set councils targets aimed at increasing housebuilding.

Last year, Shropshire Council was told it would need to oversee the delivery of 1,994 homes a year by 2029 as part of plans to increase housing supply.

The authority has also found it more difficult to resist some developments since its draft local plan was withdrawn in 2025 following concerns raised by planning inspectors. A replacement plan is now being prepared.

Such a local plan is the document councils use to identify where future housing and other development should take place.

The public meeting is due to take place at Shifnal Village Hall on Friday from 19:00 GMT.

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